Montreal Canadiens Injuries: Kaiden Guhle Update

There was some very good news on the health front Friday, as Montreal Canadiens defenceman Kaiden Guhle was spotted skating in Brossard. The Habs are currently in Alberta, part of their yearly Western Canadian road trip, which means we shouldn’t expect Guhle back any time soon.

That being said, it’s still a very good sign for a player who is listed as being out of action, indefinitely.

Admittedly, I jumped the gun a little when I first saw the diagnosis in late January, assuming Guhle was out for the remainder of the season due to the laceration of his quadricep that required a medical intervention.

There’s no guarantee he will play this year, but the mere fact that he’s already taking reps is encouraging.

While the #Habs are on their western road swing, Kaiden Guhle is here in Brossard skating.
Guhle underwent surgery to repair a lacerated quadriceps muscle on Jan 29.

This is great to see. Moving quite well. pic.twitter.com/9GxjP05iwn

— Kenzie Lalonde (@KenzieTSN) March 7, 2025

Believe or not, the Canadiens enjoyed an uptick in underlying numbers without Guhle in the lineup, and most defencemen improved their puck possession stats, however, the player who absorbed most of his ice time, Alexandre Carrier, has struggled to keep up with Guhle’s usual responsibilities.

Carrier’s numbers were great prior to Guhle’s injury, but they almost immediately tanked once the responsibilities multiplied. It speaks to Guhe’s very tough usage, usually reserved for a 10-year veteran, not a 23-year-old player.

The Canadiens will be happy to know there’s a chance Guhle will return to play this year, but there’s surely some concern about his injury history. Guhle never hesitates to put his body on the line for the team, and while that’s a commendable approach, it has led to a laundry list of injuries every season. Fortunately, injuries have slowed to a certain extent now that he’s not constantly being used on his off side.

It’s not just a matter of ensuring Kaiden Guhle is available to the Canadiens, either. At this point, a change in style of play may be warranted to improve the odds he enjoys a long, fruitful NHL career.